headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49652


Submissions

2
El Paso
Sept. 30, 1976
Mershon Auditorium, OSU

Phil rips this one wide open with a brilliant countersolo to Jerry's brilliancies and whirlygigs. Strong version here.
3
Johnny B. Goode
Sept. 28, 1976
Onondaga County War Memorial

I think they encored JBG whenever they knew they'd absolutely nailed it. It's like comedians telling "The Aristocrats". Musicians can just tell....
9
Dancin' in the Streets
Sept. 28, 1976
Onondaga County War Memorial

How on earth is this not up yet? It really kicks off the Fall '76 retooling of Dancin' with style. Brilliant, tight, and part of an enormous 2nd set.
7
New Minglewood Blues
Sept. 28, 1976
Onondaga County War Memorial

This one and the 07.18.76 versions are both so goddamned good. Jerry is a tsunami behind snarlin' Bobby. So gritty, so good.
2
Samson and Delilah
Sept. 27, 1976
Community War Memorial Auditorium

Stunning. Chronically underrated song in a chronically underrated year: Listen to Jerry blaze through this like a man with 100 fingers.
show more submissions

Comments

Eyes Of The World
Feb. 26, 1977
Swing Auditorium

Right off the bat Jerry just sparkles. Slithery solo lines announce that this will take you there. Nice to here Bobby in the mix too. Agreed, this has a mellowness to it, maybe from Phil hanging back on the beat. Feels like a few clicks slower than the cokey versions from later in the year. Donna's light touch works in nicely for an added treat, and Phil's solo gives me blissed-out shivers, recalling my time in The Zone.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Feb. 26, 1977
Swing Auditorium

Double post. Sorry.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Feb. 26, 1977
Swing Auditorium

They drag and splatter the Help a bit, and just imagine the fear in your heart if your band doesn't get it together before the knuckle-busting Slipknot! comes along. It's one of the most challenging pieces of music they ever performed, and even the finest band in the land tended to spin out. Well it seems that right on that cowbell cue they tightened right up. Best Slipknot! ever? I can't say with certainty, but it's up there: Jerry's fuzzy sky-saw buzztone makes its extra spacey and cool. It isn't the fastest or tightest, but it's one of the most interesting for sure.
Tennessee Jed
Feb. 26, 1977
Swing Auditorium

I'm one of those Heads who doesn't get all twitchy with excitement when Jed's on the setlist, but the buzz around this one is justified. Jerry puts it right to you after the 'kicked my dog' line with a blistering high-tension twang that just bites down hard and doesn't let go. The shout chorus builds and builds, making this one a crackin' good hair-raising stem-winder of a Jed.
Dark Star
Nov. 26, 1972
San Antonio Civic Auditorium

Hey Bzfgt! I don't know if other heads refer to Jerry's tone as a "whale call" or "whale song", but sometimes he launches a series of sweeping, bending tones like a great transmission of deep meaning beaming in from beyond the deep deep dark. Outer-space or under water, like great groaning whales communicating across an infinite dark space or like the searchlight casting for faults, if we're only there to pick up on the signal. Check out 1 August '73 after the first verse (around 15:15) for when they go fully submarine.... There's a bit of it in the Veneta Dark Star, too. Enjoy the search and enjoy the ride, fellow traveler.
show more comments
headyversion loves the dead but is in no way affiliated with The Grateful Dead or affiliated enterprises. find out more >:) >:)